Sammy Yatim’s family sues Toronto police for $8-million for using ‘excessive’ force the night of streetcar shooting

The family of an 18-year-old man shot and killed by Toronto police last summer is launching an $8-million lawsuit alleging that force used against Sammy Yatim was “excessive,” “unreasonable” and “not justifiable by law.”

Toronto Police confirmed on Wednesday that a suit was filed in February.

It names Police Chief Bill Blair, Const. James Forcillo, two other unnamed officers and the Toronto Police Services Board as defendants.

Mr. Yatim was fatally shot inside an empty streetcar on Dundas Street at about midnight on July 27.

He was wielding a knife and died after being shot multiple times. Eyewitness videos of the police shooting indicate nine shots were fired, three initially, followed by an additional six, about five seconds later. About 30 seconds later, with Mr. Yatim lying on his back, a Taser was deployed.

There were about a dozen police officers surrounding the streetcar at the time of the shooting, but only Const. Forcillo was subject to an investigation by the SIU. He is facing a second-degree murder charge for the teen’s death.

According to a report in the Toronto Star, Sahar Bahadi, Yatim’s mother, and his sister Sarah Yatim filed the lawsuit, which states that Mr. was experiencing a period of emotional disturbance at the time he was shot.

High-profile lawyer Julian Falconer, who specializes in representing families of people killed by police or in custody is handling the case.